Job Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) - Ph.D. position Ethics of Technology ‘Persuasive Technology'

Project description

Social values can be in conflict with the interests or preferences of individuals. Sustainability, for example, is crucial for our future, but at the same time it is recognized that technology alone cannot bring about a sustainable society. Individuals need to change their behavior as well. How do we motivate agents so that they carry out our social values, even when these values appear to conflict with their own private interests? This is where persuasive technology comes into the picture. It aims at persuading human agents to behave in socially-valued ways, by giving information, providing feedback, and taking over actions. The success of a persuasive technology that serves the public interest depends on the integration of sound technology, effective persuasive principles and careful attention to ethical considerations.

This research program investigates the psychological mechanisms and the ethical dilemmas of persuasive technology in two ways. First, we develop an in-depth empirical study of a concrete case where persuasive technology is under development: the energy management and safety of vehicles (cars, trucks). Vehicle simulators will be used to observe human agents using various forms of persuasive technology, where the most important variable will be the amount of control transferred from the user to the technological system. Second, we analyze the general psychological mechanisms, ethical dilemmas, and value conflicts at stake, which will result in design recommendations for developers of persuasive technology. Since persuasive technology is a perfectly generic technology our results will be important for many other areas as well.

This interdisciplinary research project will be conducted by researcher from the fields of philosophy, psychology and mechanical engineering.

The ethical part of the project addresses moral issues that arise when using persuasive technology. Persuasive technologies raise various ethical questions, many of which have to do with a conflict between the individual values of human agents and the social values that these technologies aim to promote. The philosophical part of our research will study the ethical issues of technological 'persuasion'. The main research question is: What are morally acceptable means of technological 'persuasion'? The ethical questions we consider are prompted by the technological case study. However, most of these ethical issues are of a general nature. The ethical project thus starts from the level of the concrete technological case and moves on to the level of general ethical principles and design guidelines. This will be specifically relevant for the social, political and legal aspects of persuasive technology and for the public debate about it.

Another important dimension of the project is creating and conceptualizing relationships between psychological research, philosophy and design. For this reason, candidates with an interest in philosophy of psychology or empirical philosophy are encouraged to apply.

Tasks

The PhD student is expected to do both supervised and unsupervised research, write a PhD thesis and research papers on ethical issues regarding persuasive technologies, and participate in activities of the 3TU.Centre for Ethics and Technology. A small part of the position may involve teaching in courses offered by the section. Active cooperation in the interdisciplinary setting of the project (which involves research in psychology and mechanical engineering) is required.

We offer:

a full-time temporary appointment for a period of 4 years;

a gross monthly salary of € 2042 during the first year up to € 2612 during the fourth year of the appointment;

a holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary and an end year allowance of 8.3% of the yearly salary;

a PhD program of 1,000 course hours, suited to the specific needs of the candidate;

a broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, child care, savings schemes, and excellent sports facilities;

a stimulating, internationally renowned research environment. In the latest international assessment of research in philosophy in the Netherlands, the section of Philosophy and Ethics of Technology received top marks on all four criteria of the assessment (quality, productivity, relevance, and viability);

the university covers (partly) the costs of publishing your dissertation.

Attaining a PhD at Eindhoven University of Technology provides you with excellent career opportunities.

Information:

Additional information about this position can be obtained from Dr. Andreas Spahn (a.spahn@tue.nl).

Further general information: HR department, Mrs. Caren van Overdijk (pz.ieis@tue.nl).

More information about the MVI program and the research done at the Section Philosophy and Ethics of Technology may be found at: http://w3.ieis.tue.nl/en/groups/aw/research/philosophyethics_of_technology/

Research in the Section of Philosophy and Ethics of Technology is carried out in close co-operation with the Section of Philosophy at Delft University of Technology. More information about the joint research program can be consulted at: http://w3.tm.tue.nl/fileadmin/tm/Capaciteitsgroepen/AW/philosophy/researchprogram20052010.pdf

More information on the research at the 3TUCentre for Ethics and Technology may be found at: http://www.ethicsandtechnology.eu/research/projects/

 Application

Applications should be received by 21^st  October 2010. Click the apply button.

The application should consist of the following parts: an application letter, motivation letter, a recent, detailed Curriculum Vitae, names and contact details of (at least) two referees, and a sample of written work.

Interviews will be held on 29^th October^{2010 (expected date). As part of an equal opportunity scheme, women are explicitly requested to apply.}